Eighteen games left in the season and more than one behind in the playoff race means little if any wriggle room for failure. The Phillies needed a big effort from starter Kyle Kendrick against the Marlins in this one with that in mind. Kendrick could not deliver as he was belted around and only lasted one and one third innings giving up 7 runs on six hits and also issued two walks. Jorge Cantu blasted a three run home run in the second inning to seal Kendrick’s fate. Sinker ball pitchers who cannott locate get blasted and Kendrick is in a major funk……….. not good for a team hoping to reach the playoffs!
Marlins starter Chris Volstad was lifted after three innings not because of how he pitched but strictly due to being hit by a line drive off the bat of Carlos Ruiz in the third inning. Volstad only gave up one run on two hits. J.A. Happ relieved Kendrick and threw two shutout innings before getting lit up by Mike Jacobs in the fourth for a two run home run to make the count 9 to 1!
Eulogio Dela Cruz came on to pitch for the Marlins in the fourth and the Fightins greeted him by scoring three runs including a two run home run by Ryan Howard and a triple by Pat Burrell. Just when you thought we might come back Happ gets blasted in the fifth for another bomb by Cody Ross to make it 10-4 ! One thing I know about this team though is that quit is not in the vocabulary. That being said the Fightins scored four in the home sixth to make the count 10-8 ! Key hits were delivered by Shane Victorino, Matt Stairs and Greg Dobbs.
The Marlins held on though as too much lead was given by Kendrick and the Fightins could not overcome the early deficit. With the Phillies loss and Mets win they now fall 3 back in the loss column, hole gets deeper.
Chatter
The appearance of J.A. Happ in this one means that Jamie Moyer will start on Thursday against the Brewers on three days rest. Moyer gets the importance of these games so I am sure he eagerly stepped up to the request. If the Phillies can win every series remaining they would go 11 and 6 meaning to tie the Mets they must go no better than 9 and 9. At a minimum I think that is what the Fightins must accomplish to earn the division albeit the Mets are unlikely to lose 9 of the next 18. Can’t have your starter get whooped early if you are trying to win at that pace !
My good buddy Ray was caught on the TV screen in the fourth inning as he caught a foul ball off the bat of Dan Uggla. Where the ball was hit was more significant than the catch, it was in the upper upper deck! Gotta get better seats than that Ray my boy !
